RISE OF THE IETA

by C. Q. Cook
all rights to text and characters mentioned belong to the author

"Anne looked up and stopped. She stared. The island was a sea of pink and purple that rose up mountain-like, cherry blossoms in full bloom. Buildings speckled across the rising levels of the island in swamps of orange, blue, and green. In the distance, Anne could hear drums and laughter. A light breeze rustled the leaves so that a swell of pink haze rolled across the landscape...Ms. Xie took them down a street and then up a set of stairs, past two blue homes, and to the next street. Noise burst through the air as soon as they stepped onto the new road, like a bubble popping. Purple and red streamers and crowds of dancers filled the streets, the sweet smell of fresh bread and cinnamon wafted in the air, and Anne was taken aback by the sudden burst of everything."